Vol. 447 No. 1
258 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the number of countries that have ratified the Uruguay Round to date in 1994, the number that have not; his views on the delay on the part of many Governments in ratifying the agreement; the implications, if any, for Irish exporters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3359/94]
As of 10 November 1994, 27 of the 124 GATT contracting parties had either signed definitively, or formally deposited instruments ratifying, the Marrakesh Agreement embodying the results of the Uruguay Round of multilateral trade negotiations. This leaves 87 who have yet to formally ratify the agreement. Five of these — including Ireland — have notified the GATT Secretariat that they have completed their domestic procedures for ratification. In accordance with established practice within the European Union, Ireland will deposit its instrument of ratification simultaneously with the European Union and other Union member states. It is expected that the European Union and each of its member states will have completed their ratification procedures by the end of this year.
1 January 1995 is the target date for entry into force of the agreement, which was signed on 15 April 1994. The Director-General of GATT, Mr. Peter Sutheland, said in a recent statement that a substantial number of governments had indicated that they would have completed their ratification procedures by the time of the implementation conference, which is due to be held on 8 December. He therefore expected the conference to confirm 1 January 1995 as the date of entry into force of the agreement.
The trade liberalisation measures contained in the Marrakesh Agreement represents a significant opportunity for Irish exporters. I am therefore very pleased at the prospect that it will come into effect on 1 January next, less than nine months after it was signed.
For further information, I would refer the Deputy to my replies to Question No. 92 on 11 October and No. 213 on 18 October 1994 on the same general subject.
